A New Hampshire mother said her two young sons learned an important lesson about leaving the outside door open after a black bear walked into their kitchen and ate two pears and a bunch of grapes and took a drink from the family fishbowl.

On its way out of the Laconia house, the real bear grabbed a stuffed bear, said resident Mary Beth Parkinson. The stuffed animal was found in the family's back yard, next to a box of Goldfish crackers.

Parkinson said she thinks the garage door going up scared the bear out of her kitchen on Tuesday. She said the bear apparently took advantage of the open outside door. She said she arrived in time to save the fish.

"There was one fish left in here (and) one flipping on the counter," Parkinson said.

Several days ago, a homeowner caught video of a black bear close by. That day, Laconia police said neighbors reported sightings.

"Just in the area, maybe a block away, there was a report there was a bear running from that area," Sgt. Rick Simmons said.

Steve Thompson, who lives next door to the Parkinsons, said he thinks he heard the animal.

"At noon, our neighbor came over and asked if I had seen or heard anything," he said. "I said I did hear two bangs."

Parkinson said her 6- and 9-year-old boys made sure the doors were locked before they went to bed.